June, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury

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1 June, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury IN THIS ISSUE A Poem, PEACE A Message from Rev. Dee Rev. Dee's Last Sunday Holy Baptisms Eucharistic Celebration Remembrance Book Vestry Meeting Search Committee Update Annual Church Picnic Rev. Christen Frothingham Joe Fahey Youth Leadership June 8th - The Day of Pentecost Relay4Life 2014 Family Camp 2014 Bottles & Cans Craft Night Our Neighbors' Table

A poem inspired and created by Paulette Nolan and in the presence of the Women of Faith offsite gathering, 2013.

2 A poem inspired and created by Paulette Nolan and in the presence of the Women of Faith offsite gathering, P lentitude of warm rays of light E nveloping me and those I care about A bsolute feelings of care and tenderness C reating a peaceful center of gravity E ventually spreading to the world around me You are the Gift a message from Rev. Dee Jesus offers this wisdom, found in John's Gospel, from the passage which we read on the Sunday before the Ascension. "In a little while the world will no longer see

3 me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." Jesus is in each and every one, abiding in the gifts with which we are blessed and which we share. Jesus is the gift and the gift is Jesus. Last Sunday, June 1st, we exchanged gifts of thanksgiving. It was my privilege and my challenge to share my appreciation for all that St. James has been for me. The privilege is obvious. The challenge may not be so clear. How does one give so many gifts in thanksgiving for so many gifts? We would be drowning in, buried in gifts. For each of you is a gift from God. All are gifted and all have shared their unique offerings with St. James and with me. Each gift is actually, truly, the Christ within. Jesus the Risen Lord is not gone, risen out of sight, but rather is dispersed, carried by the winds of the Spirit, like dandelion fluff, into the bodies and souls of this world. He is truly within everyone as a gift to be cherished and shared. What greater privilege can there be than to serve within the Body of Christ and to stand, every Sunday, in the midst of the gifts of God? To be with you in work and in play has been to live in the Christ. How does anyone offer an adequate "thank you" for the privilege, when we are drowning in, buried in Christ; When we are alive in Him as Jesus himself has

4 said. How do you say thank you for a year and a half of such holiness? I think the words of the reading from Acts last Sunday are really quite funny when we hear them as John would have heard them. "Men of Galilee, why do you stand there staring up into heaven?" You see, the disciples were trying to keep at least their eyes on the Risen Christ. They didn't want to let go of him. And yet Jesus himself has said, "I am in you." They should have been looking at their own feet! All we need do is look at each other and there he is. You have been, for me, the fact of Christ, real, alive and active in all the gifts you have brought to the altar of the ministries we have shared. I am humbled and grateful beyond words actually. So here is my gift for you. You are the Christ. Know this to be true and act upon it. Dee

5 Sunday, June 22nd. Rev. Dee's Last Sunday with St. James Join us in celebrating Rev. Dee's presence at St. James and to wish her well in her retirement. Sunday, June 8th Pentecost Sunday

We will be celebrating Holy Baptism as we welcome into the household of God Turner James Leary Will Conrad and Elizabeth Conrad Remember - this is the day to wear RED!

6 We will be celebrating Holy Baptism as we welcome into the household of God Turner James Leary Will Conrad and Elizabeth Conrad Remember - this is the day to wear RED! Eucharistic Celebration and Family Picnic, Saturday, June 21 st. Everyone in the diocesan community is invited to gather for a celebration and commemoration of Bishop Shaw's ministry. This festive event will take place on June 21, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine, at the Pinebank Promontory on Jamaica Pond (corner of Perkins Street and the Jamaicaway) in Jamaica Plain, in the City of

7 Boston. The celebration will include remarks by Bishop Barbara C. Harris, with Bishop Frank Griswold preaching. Please bring a picnic lunch to enjoy. Ice cream and beverages will be provided. Please let the celebration committee know you plan to attend via website at: It will be a tribute to Bishop Shaw to have every congregation of the diocese represented at this joyful and fun celebration Remembrance Book for Bishop Shaw We are still gathering "remembrances" in a special book for Bishop Shaw. The book will serve as a unique gift to Bishop Tom from our congregation and will be presented to him at the culminating celebration on June 21 st. You can either write your prayers and thoughts to Bishop Tom directly in the book, or on a separate piece of paper which will be added to the book, like a scrapbook. Please contact Betty Moren to if you wish to add to the book.

We are also looking for pictures of St. James, Bishop Shaw, and things or events that reflect the uniqueness of our congregation to share in the Remembrance Book.

8 We are also looking for pictures of St. James, Bishop Shaw, and things or events that reflect the uniqueness of our congregation to share in the Remembrance Book. If you have a picture or a note you would like to add to the book, please bring it to the office or send it to stjames.clergy@verizon.net as soon as possible. (If you wait much longer, it might not get in!) A huge thank-you to Betty Moren and Edith Poor, who are putting the book together for us! June Vestry Meeting Your Vestry will meet on Tuesday, June 10th at 7pm in the Nickerson Library. All are invited to attend any of our

9 meetings, where we reflect and take action upon the many important aspects of Parish life. Search Committee Update The Search Committee continues to be at work behind the scenes reviewing applications from candidates, developing questions, and conducting interviews. Three members of the committee will be traveling in the beginning of June

to visit a candidate's parish and continue the interview/discernment process. We will keep the parish updated on important milestones as they develop. Thank you for your prayers and support!

10 to visit a candidate's parish and continue the interview/discernment process. We will keep the parish updated on important milestones as they develop. Thank you for your prayers and support! June 22 nd - Annual Church Picnic Join us for our Annual Church Picnic to be held at Kelly Bennett's house in Newburyport. The parish will provide hamburgers & hotdogs, but please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

11 Please also bring your own lawn chair(s) and please leave your pets at home. The Rev. Christen Frothingham will be leading us in Worship as our Supply Priest starting Sunday, June 29th through Labor Day weekend. Congratulations Joe Fahey

12 St. James Vestry Member, Joe Fahey is retiring after 34 years of service as Amesbury's director of Community and Economic Development. Congratulations Joe, we wish all you the best!

13 Youth Leadership Through generous donations and profitable fundraisers the students were able to raise the full $6300 dollars for their mission trip. They thank you and are happy to share their experience in September. It takes a village and Saint James rocks!

Please Help Us Finish The Fight!! The 2014 Relay for Life of Amesbury event is August 16th and we want to get everyone engaged in the fight against cancer!

14 Please Help Us Finish The Fight!! The 2014 Relay for Life of Amesbury event is August 16th and we want to get everyone engaged in the fight against cancer! Our team ranked in the top 5 last year earning $4000. We were awarded the Silver Star status! Bishop Tom continues his battle with cancer and the LMVC will continue to honor him with "Bishop Tom's" team. Our church has been voted to take the lead AGAIN and we need your support! Please take a few moments to visit Relay for Life and officially register for the August 16th event. When you sign up go

15 under join a team and select "Bishop Tom's Team." By registering, you will get set up with an online fundraising page, be kept in the loop about upcoming events and be eligible for prizes and giveaways between now and Relay! If you prefer to make a donation to the team just select donate and select "Bishop Tom's Team." We greatly appreciate your support in the fight against Cancer! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunday was a blessed gift as the students showed their appreciation with a skit, poem and gifts to their teachers, leaders, mentors and Rev. Dee. The appreciation continued with a lovely brunch during coffee hour. I look forward to seeing everyone at our annual "Blessing of the Backpacks" in September. Thank you for another wonderful year! Have a happy

and refreshing summer! Many blessings Jenn Collins - Christian Education Coordinator Family Camp - 2014 Registrations are now being accepted at the Barbara C.

16 and refreshing summer! Many blessings Jenn Collins - Christian Education Coordinator Family Camp Registrations are now being accepted at the Barbara C. Harris Camp for the Diocesan Family Camp, June 26-29, This year's theme, Jump in, the Water is Fine: An Invitation to the Baptismal Life, will help us learn ways to live out our faith in our families. Camp fills up quickly so be sure to register quickly. If families share a cabin, there is a price reduction!

17 Click here: FAMILY CAMP 2014, to register on-line or to obtain more information. Bottle & Can Drive Our YLA children thank you all for contributing towards their mission trip by participating in the Bottle & Can Drive. Going forward, our youth will continue this drive and the money collected will go towards our St. James Youth Group. The Bottle & Can Drive benefits all of us! Our environment, our time and our youth.

18 So, please continue to bring them to the designated area in the Parish Hall. Thank You! What to donate Five cent redeemable cans Five cent redeemable bottles (no crushed cans please) What not to donate Non-redeemable bottles Non-redeemable cans Water bottles. Thank You For Your Support! June Crafting at St. James

19 Please join us for Craft Night on Monday, June 9th starting at 6:30pm. This gatherings is a "come as you are" event - no talent necessary, no need to bring supplies, drop in when you can and leave when you need to. Bring your dinner and eat with us! We chat, laugh and work together on a variety of craft items which will be sold at the annual Church Fair. If you have a craft, bring it if you wish. Everyone is invited, so bring a friend (or two) with you if you can. Questions? Comments? Can't make it that night, but want to make sure you don't miss out on future Craft Night? Please contact Fair Committee Co-Chairs Dawn Schmidt (Dawn Schmidt) and Liz Iacobucci (Liz Iacobucci). June Food Donations During the month of June, ONT asked for donations of

20 canned fruit, pasta and pasta sauce. Also, personal items such as deodorant, mouthwash, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc., are always in need. To check out ONT's website - click here. Let us give thanks for God's many blessings to us. QUICK LINKS St. James Website! Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Send us an Blessings and Peace to All! The Rev. Deborah Woodward Forward this This was sent to stjames.clergy@verizon.net by stjames.clergy@verizon.net Update Profile/ Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. St. James Episcopal Church, Amesbury, MA 120 Main Street Amesbury MA 01913

May, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury

May, 2014 NEWSLETTER St. James Episcopal Church Amesbury IN THIS ISSUE Sr. Warden Message Reflections from Rev. Dee Vestry Meeting Craft Night Family Camp 2014 Christian Education YLA Fundraiser Women